Two strikes in extra time sent Sidley United through to the Third Round of the Sussex FA Intermediate Cup and a tie against league rivals Sedlescombe Rangers.

A minutes silence to mark remembrance day preceded the game but the Blues began brightly, overrunning their opponents from West Sussex early on as they created several good chances which they were unable to convert.

The half became rather stop start as it wore on but Sidley continued to enjoy the better of the play, forcing a number of corners as they pressured the visitors.

Goalless at half time, the early stages of the second half continued in the same vein and the few chances that West Chiltington did force were spurned by some wayward finishing.

Finally though Sidley broke through as Lee Carey scored in the 78th minute. That seemed to be enough but in the first minute of stoppage time the visitors struck an equaliser to force the match into extra time.

Sidley could have felt sorry for themselves but instead they set about reclaiminf the lead. 5 minutes into the extra half hour an Adam Day free kick cannoned back off the crossbar and Josh Elliott-Noye headed home the rebound.

The result was put beyond doubt 3 minutes into the second period of extra time. Sean Baldwin weaved his way past two defenders and laid the ball off for Carey to score his second goal of the game.

The Blues will travel to Sedlescombe in the Third Round with one ESFL side guaranteed a place in the Quarter Finals. Next week though it's back to league action as Sidley make the short trip to Buxton Drive to take on Bexhill A.A.C.

A Gary Hempe hat trick helped Sidley United record a fine win on the road as they beat Rye Town 4 - 1 for the second time this season.

The Blues made a fast start and took the lead after just 5 minutes. Kingsley Parsons got to the byline on the right hand side and crossed to the far post where Zac McEniry headed down for Sean Baldwin to fire home from close range.

Rye grew into the game and shaded the next 15 minutes, winning a number of free kicks in dangerous positions which ultimately came to nothing. But the home side would draw level from a set piece as a corner from the left was headed home by Barnaby Osborne on 28 minutes.

Sidley didn't let that goal rattle them though and, after Chris Copley had hit the crossbar with a header from a free kick, they retook the lead on 40 minutes. A neat move down the right evenutally saw the ball worked to Rosh Wells whose low shot was parried by the Rye goalkeeper and Hempe got to the loose ball first to slot home and restore the Blues' lead.

At half time the game was finely balanced but it was put to bed with two quick fire penalties in the second half. Firstly a free kick that pinballed around in the area was heading towards Lee Carey for a close range finish but he was brought down by a rash challenge and regular penalty taker Hempe stepped up to slot the ball low to the goalkeeper's left to increase Sidley's lead on 60 minutes.

And just 3 minutes later Sidley won another penalty as the ball bounced up and hit a Rye hand with the referee again pointing to the spot. The ever reliable Hempe this time went the other way to complete his hat-trick. Ironically 5 of Hempe's 6 goals this season have come against Rye including two penalties in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Rye frustrations grew and after a show of dissent towards the referee one of their players was sent to the newly introduced 'sin bin' - the first time that Sidley have experienced that this season - for 10 minutes. During that time Rye still looked to hit long balls forward and pressure the Sidley defence but the Blues back line dealt with the threat well and saw out an excellent win.

The Blues turn their attention to cup duties next weekend when they entertain West Sussex Premier League side West Chiltington in the second round of the Sussex FA Intermediate Cup.

A Lee Carey double helped Sidley United maintain their perfect home record in the league as they saw off local rivals Bexhill Town.

Having ended the 100% records of Hawkurst United and Battle Baptists earlier in the season, Bexhill were next to see their winning sequence ended by an excellent Sidley performance.

The Blues opted to play three centre backs and two full backs for this game. This counteracted the Bexhill tactic of looking to exploit the pace of Doni Dovla in the first half as the Blues dealt with the long balls forward with relative calm.

At the other end Sidley almost took the lead when Kingsley Parsons curled an effort which cannoned back off the crossbar. That was as close as either side came to breaking the deadlock in an even first half.

But after the break, as has often been the case this season, Sidley came out stronger than their opponents and they took the lead on 59 minutes. Carey's initial corner was cleared straight back to him on the left and his next cross into the area evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner.

Carey would double the lead on 72 minutes when another free kick seemed to deceive Bexhill goalkeeper Harry Killick and he palmed the shot straight to Carey who had a simple task to head home from six yards out.

Town were rattled and some frequent clashes between Parsons and Dovla saw bookings for both although the Town striker may consider himself fortunate not to see red for a swing out off the ball. But the football was all with Sidley and they added a third in stoppage time when the unmarked Zac McEniry headed home a corner from close range.

There was still time for Town to get on the scoresheet as with almost the last kick of the game a free kick slipped from the grasp of Blues stopper Josh Langley-Fineing and was followed up from a tight angle by Bill Trickett. However this was a minor frustration on an otherwise terrific afternoon for the Blues who were worthy winners and showed a great togetherness and determination to get the result.

Next week they will look to replicate the quality of their home performances on the road as they travel to Rye Town.

Robertsbridge Rec continues to prove to be an unhappy hunting ground for Sidley United as they slipped to another poor defeat there for the third season in a row.

The Blues enjoyed the better of the opening 10 minutes, creating a number of chances but were unable to convert them while Robertsbridge's early tactic was to play a long ball forward and turn the Sidley defence around.

And that tactic proved effective with two goals coming within minutes of each other as the Sidley defence were caught out on 16 and 18 minutes with the home side seeing their first two shots on goal finding the back of the net courtesy of Chris Phillips and Curtis Coombes.

Sidley tried to play their way back into the game but the remainder of the match followed a similar pattern; with Sidley too often having wild efforts or making poor choices when it came to the final ball.

The home side created little else and seemed content to defend well in the second half, which they did but they were certainly helped by a lack of understanding between the Sidley attackers as well as poor finishing which meant the only time the home goalkeeper had to really make a save was when his own man almost headed the ball past him.

A difficult result to take as once again Sidley were made to pay for a poor first half performance and a failure to be clinical in front of goal. Indeed the Blues have scored just once in the last three matches. They will hope for better on both fronts when they take on a Bexhill Town side which has won every game this season at Hooe Rec next week.

Sidley United progressed to the Second round of the Sussex FA Intermediate Cup after seeing off West Sussex side TD Shipley thanks to Ashley Elphick's first half goal.

It was the visitors who produced the first good opportunity early on as they drove a shot across goal. But that would prove their most threatening moment and after that Sidley raised their game and started to pressure the Shipley defence.

On 28 minutes the scoring of was opened as Danny Ellis did well on the goal-line and rolled the ball across for Elphick to tap home from barely a yard out.

Good chances continued to come Sidley's way with both Zac McEniry and Sean Baldwin unable to convert decent opportunities.

The pattern continued in the second half as Sidley continued to create a number of chances but couldn't find the second goal that would have made the afternoon more comfortable and given a truer reflection of the contest.

The game became a bit more physical and Rosh Wells had to receive treatment for a bloody nose as the visitors looked to try and compete but still chances came Sidley's way and on another day Baldwin may well have claimed a hat trick.

In the end though the single goal proved to be enough with Shipley unable to seriously test the Blues defence. Sidley will face West Chiltington in the Second Round.

A lacklustre display saw Sidley United crash out of the Hastings FA Intermediate Cup at the hands of league rivals Sedlescombe Rangers.

The Blues gave a debut to goalkeeper Joshua Langley-Fineing and he made an excellent stop early on to deny the visitors the lead, tipping a volley onto the underside of the crossbar.

Sedlescombe were using the benefit of the wind to dictate most of the play but Sidley had a great opportunity to take the lead. Lee Carey did well to get away down the right and he fired a low ball in towards Zac McEniry but he fired over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

The Blues were looking to work their way into the game but they fell behind on 25 minutes. Mark Funnell made a challenge from behind in the area and although there weren't many appeals the referee pointed to the spot. Ryan Edwards stepped up to send Langley-Fineining the wrong way and put Sedlescombe in front.

A half time change saw Ashley Elphick come on for the unwell Rosh Wells and Sidley looked to use the wind in their favour. However they found it hard to carve out chances against a stubborn Sedlescombe defence. McEniry and Carey went closest while a Josh Elliott-Noye header also went just over the bar.

At the other end, the game was effectively put out of reach after a defensive mix up. Funnell anticipated Langley-Fineing coming to collect the ball while the goalkeeper felt he would deal with it and this allowed Sedlescombe forward Jake Warner to nip in and pinch the ball, round the goalkeeper and roll the ball into the net for the visitors second goal on 70 minutes.

Sidley changed shape seeking to push more men up front to get back in the contest but it had the feel of one of those afternoons where nothing would fall for them. On the break the vistiors almost grabbed a third goal in the final moments but the crossbar came to Sidley's rescue.

On the whole Sidley cannot aruge with coming away from the game empty handed, as one chance of silverware evaporated. Next week it is another cup competition as the Blues welcome TD Shipley in the Sussex FA Intermediate Cup.

Sidley United were responsible for ending another 100% record on Saturday as they brilliantly saw off league leaders Battle Baptists.

The Blues fielded Zac McEniry up front to act as a focal point and the tactic proved effective with McEniry often winning long balls forward and allowing others to link up with him. McEniry almost opened the scoring with a header but Battle goalkeeper Ryan Hunt did well to beat out his effort.

However despite Sidley enjoying more possession it was Battle who had the better chances in the first half as a good ball in from the right found Jamie Lindsay but his sliding effort was wide of the post while a Dean Boyd strike from distance just cleared the crossbar.

Kingsley Parsons picked up an injury and had to replaced just before the interval as a tight and competitive first half came to an end.

In the second half though, just as with the previous week's dispatching of Hawkhurst United, Sidley really picked up their game and they took the lead in the 62nd minute. Louis Walker did well to keep the ball alive down the right and when a half clearance fell to Baldwin in the area, he sidestepped his man and curled a left foot which rather went through Hunt and into the net for his first goal of the season.

One became two just four minutes later. Baldwin did terrifically well to win the ball high up the pitch and burst away from the defender and as Hunt came out to challenge him he poked the ball across goal to McEniry to smash the ball into the empty net from six yards out.

There was always the feeling that if Battle could get a way back into the game then the dynamic might change but Sidley defended resolutely with the home side unable to put any real pressure on Joe Rogers in the Sidley goal as their long unbeaten run at home came to an end.

A terrific all round performance and a win that brings Sidley up into contention with the leading sides in the Division.

Sidley United showed great character as they hit back from going two goals behind to inflict a comprehensive first defeat of the season on Hawkhurst United.

It had looked as if another slow start would cost Sidley though as they fell behind for the third match in a row. Casey Ham struck a terrific free kick from 25 yards out into the net on 19 minutes although Sidley felt the free kick should have been taken from further back than it was.

One became two on 27 minutes as a poor headed clearance fell nicely for Leon Fisher and he rifled a strike high into Rogers' net to put Hawkhurst in control as Sidley struggled to string their passes together.

But the momentum shifted in the last 10 minutes of the half as Sidley forced a succession of corners and penned Hawkhurst back in their own half. Ash Elphick made some driving runs and appeared to be brought down in the area but the referee waved away the appeals. However in the first minute of stoppage time Elphick did win a penalty after being rashly brought down and the dependable Gary Hempe converted the spot kick to bring Sidley back into the game.

They continued that momentum in the second half and were soon level. A terrific piece of skill from Danny Ellis saw him beat two men on the left and he smashed home a powerful shot to draw Sidley level. Hawkhurst looked shell-shocked and Josh Elliott-Noye put Sidley in front on 57 minutes as he headed home a terrific Hempe free kick.

After that it was just a question of how many goals Sidley wanted to score. Mark Funnell was next on the scoresheet as he followed up to score when the away goalkeeper spilled a powerful strike on 67 minutes.

Full back Louis Walker added the fifth as he drilled home a strike with the aid of a deflection into the bottom corner on 73 minutes. After that Sidley laid siege to the Hawkhurst goal. Twice they hit the woodwork, Scrace somehow headed wide from a yard out and Sean Baldwin rolled an effort narrowly wide on his return from suspension as Sidley ran out comfortable winners in the end.

A terrific second half performance to turn the match around but the Blues will know they cannot afford to keep falling behind in matches.

A frustrating afternoon at The Polegrove saw Sidley United slip to defeat to cross-town rivals Bexhill Town.

After a scrappy opening 10 minutes the game settled into a pattern of play that was familiar throughout with Sidley dominating the ball and Bexhill sitting deep looking to exploit the pace of their forwards with balls over the top of the Blues defence.

And despite the Blues enjoying the better of the play it was Town who struck first after 29 minutes as a free kick from wide on the right was not dealt with by the Blues defenders and was tucked home by Doni Dovla.

One became two 8 minutes later as a corner was again not well defended allowing Kevin Barden to score. At the break the Blues went to 3 at the back and recent signing Zac McEniry came on to lead the line and this allowed them to practically set up camp in the Bexhill half but still they found it difficult to create chances against a determined Town defence.

Finally though Sidley did reduce the arrears on 61 minutes after good work by Danny Ellis as he beat two men and laid the ball off to Josh Elliott-Noye to stroke home.

The Blues continued to push forward and forced a number of corners which saw the referee add on 8 minutes of stoppage time. And in the 5th minute of time added on Bexhill made sure of the win with a breakaway goal as a long clearance was latched onto and finished by Jay Edwards.

A good win for Town but frustration for Sidley who suffered from defensive errors and a lack of cutting edge up front. They will need to sharpen up at both ends of the pitch when they take on a Hawkhurst United side that has 3 wins from 3 next weekend.

Sidley United picked up their first points of the season with a splendid victory in a match which was almost a complete reversal of the previous week.

The Blues got off to a slow start though and fell behind after the referee spotted the arms of Josh Elliott-Noye wrapped around a Rye player in the area and pointed to the spot. Alfie Weller converted the penalty on 11 minutes.

But Sidley grew into the game and the excellent Lee Carey almost equalised when he took down a cross from the left and smashed a shot against the crossbar. He wasn't to be denied for long though as he capitalised on a mix up between goalkeeper and defender and poked the ball past both and into the net on 30 minutes.

At half time the game was delicately poised but Sidley were much the stronger team in the second half and won a penalty of their own on 53 minutes when a Rye defender blocked a cross with his arm. Gary Hempe stepped up and slotted home to put the Blues in front.

And Sidley stayed on the front foot as Ash Elphick added a third goal with a terrific lobbed effort which dropped right into the top corner on 71 minutes before Hempe scored another penalty just four minutes later after Elphick had been brought down by a rash challenge by the Rye goalkeeper.

At the other end of the pitch the Sidley defence had the odd moment of pressure to contend with as Rye hit the crossbar with a header in the final moments but they were generally assured and much more secure than last week.

A terrific team performance and a signal of intent against a side expected to be up among the top teams come the season's end.

A disappointing second half saw Sidley United slump to an opening day defeat to newly promoted to Northiam 75.

Northiam began strongly and had the better of the opening 20 minutes as Sidley struggled to get forward. However, they opened the scoring rather against the run of play as some good work from Doni Dovla allowed fellow debutant Danny Ellis to beat his man and fire low into the far corner on 23 minutes.

Sidley then used the momentum that the goal brought and went close to a second but the home goalkeeper did well to tip away Lee Carey's goalbound strike from the edge of the area before Dovla steered an effort from a corner over the crossbar from inside the six yard box.

Despite that pressure Northiam kept coming and got a deserved equaliser on 44 minutes as again they were afforded too much time and space to pick out the run by Oscar Garcia Cruz and he poked the ball past Joe Rogers to bring the scores level.

Early in the second half Northiam took the lead as some hesitant Sidley defending allowed Scott Embery to nip in and lift the ball over Rogers to put the home side in front.

Sidley responded by putting three men up front but they failed to halt Northiam's threat and Embery added a terrific third as he volleyed home a cross from the left on 65 minutes.

And Sidley's day was compounded when a corner was tucked away at the second attempt by Alan Johnson on 79 minutes to put some gloss on the final score.

A disappointing result and one that Sidley will be hoping to bounce back from immediately when they take on Rye Town next weekend.